Jujitsu (Blazers: Marial Arts)

Tim O'Shei is a Capstone Press author.

Grade 3-6–Offering simple texts and dramatic action-filled photos, these books aim for a wide audience, but fall short. Their emphasis is on the rudimentary facts of clothing and equipment, simple skills, and competition (Kung fu fighters wear special pants and a jacket). The information is vague, muddled, and particularly weak when explaining each sport's origins. Speculation on the history of Kung fu, for example, takes three spreads, and uses language such as Some people then believe.... The Martial Arts for Kids series (Tuttle), written at a higher reading level, offers better introductions.
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